Trump accuses Dems of 'trickery' in Dan Sullivan vs. Dan Sullivan Alaska primary

Republican Dan J. Sullivan is challenging GOP Sen. Dan S. Sullivan.

August 16, 2026, 7:50 PM

President Donald Trump is weighing in on the unusual Republican primary in Alaska, where a challenger with the same name as sitting senator Dan Sullivan is on the ballot, sparking confusion and accusations of "trickery" by Democrats in the race for the crucial seat.

Voters head to the polls on Tuesday for Alaska’s primary elections, where the Senate race is considered critical in determining the balance of power in Congress. Democrats are hoping to flip the seat with former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, who became the first indigenous member of Congress and first woman to hold Alaska's at-large House seat in 2022. 

"Because of the trickery in the Voting, the Crooked, Radical Left Dumocrats have put up another man named ‘Dan Sullivan,’ and they did this to take Votes away from our Great Senator of the same name. Democrats are trying to ‘trick’ Alaskans, and treat Alaskan Voters with contempt," Trump posted Friday to his social media platform.

The Alaska Democratic Party and Peltola's campaign told ABC News they have no involvement or affiliation with either Dan Sullivan. 

The president then pasted a screenshot of the sample ballot that was previously shared by the Alaska Division of Elections, with Trump differentiating the incumbent senator by marking his name with a green check and a "Trump-endorsed" marker.

Dan J. Sullivan is a retired fifth-grade teacher who describes himself as a pragmatic Republican. But two-term incumbent Alaska GOP Sen. Dan S. Sullivan calls him a “sham” candidate, claiming his candidacy is intended to confuse voters -- something that Democrats and Dan J. Sullivan deny. 

"I have every right to stand up and do this," Dan J. Sullivan said in an interview with the Petersburg Pilot newspaper earlier this summer. "It's my name, my grandfather's name: Dan Sullivan. My dad's name: Dan Sullivan."

Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy has resulted in complaints from Republicans, as well as legal action and a DOJ investigation. In late June, the Alaska Supreme Court upheld a lower court order that allows Dan J. Sullivan to remain on the state's U.S. Senate ballot. 

Trump reiterated his endorsement of Sen. Dan S. Sullivan in his Friday post, calling him a "GREAT man" and a "very distinguished and Highly Respected Senator." 

“‘SULLIVAN, DAN S’ has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election – HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” Trump added.

The top four candidates in Alaska's nonpartisan primary advance to the general election under ranked-choice voting, regardless of political party. This means it is possible for both Dan Sullivans to be on the ballot in November. 

Trump has also repeatedly railed against Alaska’s voting system, saying in April that ranked-choice voting is “ONE OF THE GREATEST THREATS TO DEMOCRACY” and urging Alaskans to support efforts to repeal the practice.